Douglas
A. Gentile, Ph.D.
Director
of Research
Dr. Douglas Gentile
is a developmental psychologist and the Director of Research for
the National Institute on Media and the Family, an organization
devoted to maximizing the benefits and minimizing the harm of media
on children and families through research, education and advocacy.
His experience includes over 19 years conducting research with children
and adults. Dr. Gentile has authored numerous studies, including
:"Frogs Sell Beer: The Effects of Beer Advertisements on Adolescent
Drinking Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior;" "The Effects
of Violent Video Game Habits on Adolescent Aggressive Attitudes
and Behaviors;" "A Validity Test of Movie, Television,
and Video Game Ratings;" and "A Normative Study of Family
Media Habits." He is the editor of the recent book Media
Violence and Children: A Complete Guide for Parents and Professionals.
One of the National
Institute on Media and the Family's core purposes is to conduct
research on media's impact on children. As the leader of this effort,
Dr. Gentile develops and conducts research projects designed to
give parents and other caregivers the kind of information they need
and want to make informed media choices for their children. The
Institute is currently studying the effects of video game violence
on adolescents' aggressive attitudes and behaviors, and the effects
of media habits on children's peer relations and acceptance. Dr.
Gentile has just finished editing a newly released book, Media Violence
and Children, a first-of-it's-kind reference book on the topic of
media violence.
Dr. Gentile
speaks regularly to community, education, health care, and parent
groups. Praised as an engaging and energetic speaker, he speaks
about issues such as the connection between media and brain development,
the effects of television and video game violence, the effects of
tobacco and alcohol advertising on adolescents, and the psychology
of advertising. He has been featured on such shows as National Public
Radio's Morning Edition and Public Radio International's
To the Point, and his work has been reported on NBC's Today
Show, in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles
Times, as well as numerous other newspapers and television stations.
Dr. Gentile
received his doctorate in child psychology from the University of
Minnesota. Prior to joining the National Institute, he worked as
a market researcher, a math instructor, and served as test developer
and data analyst for Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New
Jersey. He is currently on the faculty at Iowa State University,
teaching psychology and conducting research in the Media Research
Lab, which he directs. He is on the editorial board of the Journal
of Applied Developmental Psychology. He was recently named Research
Fellow by the Institute of Science and Society at Iowa State. He
lives in Ames, Iowa with his wife Tara and daughter Lauren.
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